Forbidden Foods For Blood Pressure Problems
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in five adults suffers from high blood pressure, a condition that causes 9.4 million deaths worldwide each year due to complications. The first step to help prevent blood pressure problems is to follow a proper diet.
That is why in this article we will share with you the forbidden foods for people with blood pressure problems. Keep in mind that aside from your diet, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding alcohol and consuming less salt are other essential changes you need to make.
What is high blood pressure and what causes it?
Although high blood pressure or hypertension is a condition that usually does not manifest itself clearly, it should not be taken lightly. It is worrying that many of those who suffer from it do not pay as much attention to it as they should.
Hypertension is also one of the most common diseases among the adult population. It affects about 33% of the population. If you have blood pressure problems, you need to follow a special diet to keep them under control. This way you ensure that your body is working properly.
Aging and genetics are some of the causes that increase the risk of blood pressure problems that you can’t change. However, other factors can lead to an increase in blood pressure. Think, for example, of insufficient nutrition, being overweight or not being physically active.
Forbidden foods for people with blood pressure problems
1. Reduce your salt intake
If you have high blood pressure, you should either avoid adding salt to your food or reduce the amount you consume. Sodium is your worst enemy.
You can consume up to 1,000 mg of sodium per day, which is equivalent to 2 grams of table salt. Also remember that many foods contain sodium, so be very careful.
2. Processed foods are among the forbidden foods for blood pressure problems
You should avoid all types of processed foods, whether packaged or canned. Even the foods that claim to be low in salt can still be sources of sodium due to their preservatives, such as sodium benzoate, or flavorings, such as monosodium glutamate.
3. Limit Your Caffeine Consumption
A simple cup of coffee can raise blood pressure. Therefore, drinking coffee every day can contribute to hypertension. So all caffeinated drinks can actually raise blood pressure. This mainly concerns soft drinks and other drinks that are full of caffeine.
4. Milk products
Dairy products are good sources of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. However, they are also rich in saturated fat, which raises blood pressure. So if you like dairy products, consume skim milk, yogurt, and cheese.
5. Avoid Industrial Flavors
Chicken broth, mustard, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, for example, are high in sodium. They are therefore among the foods that are forbidden for people with blood pressure problems. There is nothing better than using herbs and spices such as basil, parsley and lemon.
6. Limit your fat intake to prevent blood pressure problems
Fried chicken or chips are temptations that can endanger your health. Fried foods contain a lot of fat, which can lead to obesity and high blood pressure. Therefore, it is best for people with blood pressure problems to eat roasted or grilled chicken and baked or boiled potatoes.
Remember that saturated fat, especially trans fat, is bad for the heart and blood vessels. Hypertension puts a lot of stress on the circulatory system and extra stress can be serious.
In short, as a final tip, remember that specialists recommend healthy lifestyles for people with blood pressure problems as well as anyone who wants to prevent hypertension .
